Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-12
LOVES SPRING OPENING.
Novelties which Cupid has to Offer ia
ST. Valentines Day.

Novelties which Cupid has to Offer FOX
st. Valentines Day.
THE MODERN LABOR SAVING DEVICES FOR THE BENE.
FIT OF LOvE-SICK swAINs-oDD AND PRETTY DE-
SIGNS FOR VALENTINES DAY-wHAr A DEALEE
sAYs-ExPENsINE TOKENS OF AFFECTION.
The modern messenger OF love appears at the
lower basement door on the 14th OF February, In
wellworn suit Of gray with brass buttons. He
hasn't any wings. II he had he could not fly, be-
cause the big bag on his back full OF valentines
would hold him down.
Since the days Of Sam Weller, the habit of writ
ing ones own valentines has nearly passed away.
Modern improvements have come to the assistance
OF infelicitous writers. Yet occasionally some
fond lover inspired with fine frenzy, burns the
midnight gas, and dips his pen in amorous ink,
and writes On antique paper with a gold pen:
MY love; my love.
Then he goes out early the next morning and
buys silken banner with bright flowers "hand
painted" and sends 1t by special messenger.
After that he never attempts to Improve on mod
The sending Of comic valentines is confined now
to children almost eXcluSively-generally to bad
children. But the custom OF sending love tokens
On st. Valentines day is as popular as ever, and
the idea that Love begins his spring opening on
that day with an entirely new and complete stock
OF hearts on hand-aI without flaw-St1ll pre-
vafs and it is even intimated that a little hooked.
nOsed God of Love does a thriving business on q
side street in secondhand hearts, which he has
rubbed up before the fire until they are warm and
look as good as new. A little cupid in red tights
and a black cloak over his shoulders which are
constantly shrugged up to his ears; and pointed.
toed Shoes with little bells at the ends; pointed
cap. and little pOined" black eyes, it is said ad-
tises to rejuvenate old hearts by the exercise OF
the black art at midnight before st. Valentines.
NOVELTIES IN THE VALENTINE LINE.
The valentine trade. meanwhile, still thrives.
One Of the manifest ideas in that this is
a handsome plaque, with a leaf, which, when
opened uncovers q lookingglass in which the re-
cipient Will see her own face and knows at once
that she is his valentine. AS rule the valentines
this year are very much prettier and in better
taste than usual. One series represent realistic
little boy and girl, the one under broad br1mmed
made suspender; the other with her head hid in
the depths OF a wide Sun-bOnnet, and her ragged
petticoats Just down to her little bare knees. On
each card they are in different attitude fndica-
tive OF dispOndency, confidence or bliss-just like
old folks" On one the little maiden is in swing.
and has been coquett1ng with her young lord who
verse underneath says:
do not be discouraged friend,
Thy swee; heart should send
Try again. and thou shall find
That Ut last she's changed her mind"
Some make more ardent and serious declarations
OF love, and speak in such nmistakable poetry as
would send CONSERVATION to the heart OF the Elder
Weller. Some are novel and slightly facetiOus.
One of the latest is little sheet iron bread pam
probably six inches long, with four brown buns In
1t and a linen napkin over them. On the napkin is
written in red letters: 'YOu take the bum"
Another is little bag Of gold eagles, on which
Is written:
I" Three good things may you possess,
Health, wealth and happiness"
A valentine called the american Opera Com
pany." consists OF a sponge monkey playing the
bass v1Ol, surrounded by an orchestra OF little
bristling white mice, with music before them. All
are standing on heavy gilt-edged card.
A little china dish with a fried egg spread on
the bottom is another novel design. Big painted
PLAQUES and mOuchOir cases are very plentiful,
and many Of them are pretty, but they are not as
expensive as in former years.
THE COST OF Such TOKENS.
dealer told The STAR man that his stock
ranged in price from 25 cents to So The cheapest
were quite handsome, and the So plaques sold last
year for $40.
Little boys and girls cut out OF cloth and pasted
on pretty cards are very popular as valentines
Few verses are sent. In more expensive way, it
teWelry on st. Valentines day.